CE-01 How Will Pope Francis Handle This One?

Pope Francis faces Christian persecution, genocide, divorced Catholics, immigration, refugees, internal Vatican “rebels,” and various crises around the world. Will he break from previous Popes? Will he reaffirm – or remake – Church policy? Learn the latest inside news and thinking from Senior CNN Vatican analyst John Allen. Learn how to reply when friends ask “How will the Pope handle this?”

CE-03 Ongoing Reformation: Toward the Next 500 Years

Building on the 500th Reformation Anniversary in 2017, turn your attention now to a shared Christian vision going forward. Fr. Alexei and Lutheran Minister Rev. Dahill will discuss the significance and shape of Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, and new efforts taking place within both Catholic and Lutheran contexts. Is the Reformation over? Changing?… Learn what’s next.

CE-05 Church in the Marketplace?

Should Catholics be involved in politics? What should the church speak about in world affairs? How do Social Justice Gospel teachings work with politics and policies in today’s life? Our Catholic Biblical teaching is on view by the world. How do our present Church policies stand up to these Catholic principles?

CE-07 God Under Fire: The Adventures of a Military Chaplain

How do our troops in combat keep the faith? What spiritual help can our friends and relatives expect while in the service? A Navy-Marine Corps Catholic Chaplain, who served in the Kuwait war, shares an evening of compelling stories of life with Marines in the United States, overseas and in combat. Semper Fi!

CE-09 Entrepreneurial Christianity: Learning From Protestants

Like business entrepreneurs, Protestant pastors innovate and share best practices. They target an audience, measure commitment, and raise the spiritual level. Is this the “new evangelization”? Tonight’s course will weigh the pros and cons of entrepreneurial Christianity. Can we learn from those who do it well? What should we do?

CE-02 Middle East Politics: Christians, Crusades, and Controversies

Should we move our embassy to Jerusalem? What were the Crusades all about? How do they figure into Middle East politics with ISIS, Syria, and Iran today? What role did St. Francis play centuries ago and how about Pope Francis today? Fr. Dave has led 12 annual archaeological pilgrimages to the Middle East and will bring his insights to this session.

CE-04 Islam, Sunni, Shia, Sufi – What’s the Difference?

These are various sects within Islam but play a major role in understanding the Middle East today. Brought to the University by the Ventura County Interfaith Community, Dr. Amir Hussain, Professor of Theological Studies at LMU in Los Angeles, will explain the differences among Sunni, Shia, and Sufi. Learn to better understand the news by knowing these differences.

CE-06 Muslims and Catholics: Friends or Foes?

Pope Francis has called the Catholic Church to an intensified dialogue with the world’s religions, particularly with Islam. What is the current state of Muslim-Catholic relations? Fr. Alexei, a leading expert on inter-faith affairs, tells us clearly.